Teaching and Education in 2030

“Teaching and Education 2030: Shaping the Future Together” is the name of a new strategy process initiated by Vice President Hauke Heekeren, in which members of Freie Universität work together on the university’s vision for the future of study and teaching. The university-wide participatory process aims to develop a mission statement for teaching and learning as well as an educational strategy for the university. In an initial event last summer, 125 participants came together as part of a digital World Café to exchange ideas about current developments, challenges, and future-oriented approaches in teaching and studying. At the official kick-off event held online last November, key topics in teaching and education were identified, and since then 23 focus groups have been set up, each dedicated to a specific topic. The results will be presented and discussed at a wrap-up meeting in March. The completion of the strategy process is planned for the end of 2021.

Which polymath had a bird named Jakob? What is the connection between Albert Einstein and Potsdam’s Telegrafenberg? These and other secrets are revealed in the new series of events “Von Alumni für Alumni,” (“By Alumni, For Alumni”) in which Freie Universität graduates offer insights into their current work. To kick things off, Yori Schultka, a graduate in Korean Studies, invited participants to the Museum of Natural History in Berlin, where they marveled at highlights such as Alexander von Humboldt’s parrot. In August, Alexander Rudloff, who earned his doctorate in Earth sciences, led a tour of the Telegrafenberg and introduced the Geosciences Research Center (GeoForschungsZentrum). Participants were impressed not only by the unique Einstein Tower, but also by the great opportunities the event offered to network with their peers. Alumnus Norbert Mönter, who received his doctorate in medicine, provided a different insight, introducing the Health Center for Refugees in Berlin. He reported on the challenges faced by health care initiatives for refugees and how general conditions have improved. Interested in giving a talk about your profession? Contact the alumni office at alumni@ fu-berlin.de! 

At an award ceremony held on the evening of Tuesday, February 9, Governing Mayor of Berlin and Chair of the Council of the Preußische Seehandlung Foundation, Michael Müller, presented the Berlin Literature Prize to poet Monika Rinck. Under the terms of the award, Ms. Rinck was also appointed by the president of Freie Universität Berlin, Professor Günter M. Ziegler, as visiting professor of German poetry at the Peter Szondi Institute of Comparative Literature, a position sponsored by the Preußische Seehandlung Foundation. The ceremony was held at Berlin City Hall with a limited number of participants due to the ongoing pandemic. Berlin-based author Angelika Meier gave the laudatory speech.